Make public officials fund their own retirement

In Illinois, property taxes pay for education, including teacher pay, the highest in the country, health care at $15,000 per teacher, severance pay, and pension contributions. It's called a Pension Pickup, and taxpayers in Geneva pay the entire 9 percent. Teachers pay zero.

Of the $160 billion the state owes, 85 percent is for the five state pensions that benefit, active and retired, just 3.8 percent of the state. Teachers, 1 percent of the state, are responsible for 50 percent of pension debt, $66 billion. This is because the nature of "defined benefit pensions" is flawed and corrupt. Since 1987, pension benefits have increased over 900 percent. Those who benefit, put in very little, and receive outrageous pensions.

Public pensions are unaffordable and unsustainable. No matter how much taxes go up, pension debt increases faster. Teachers in Illinois are the highest paid in the country, with Geneva teachers on the top of the list. Their pensions will start at $75,000 and more, and will double in 22 years thanks to the 3 percent COLA. Now you know why Illinois is broke.

But teacher pensions are a function of the state, except for Chicago, where the school system is beyond broke. Last year's budget battle, overridden by Democrats, increased taxes $5 billion, all for their fat pensions.

Rather than raising taxes again, and driving out more jobs, the talk is to move teacher pensions back to the school districts that carelessly kept increasing them. Imagine what that will do to your property taxes.

Why should anyone, especially the poor, be forced to pay for the retirement of any politician, state employee or teacher? They can well afford to fund their own retirement just like the rest of us. It is the only way to save Illinois.

Jack Kraus

West Chicago